Name-Calling and Delusions Don’t Justify Military Murder

Regarding Richard A. Serrano’s article on Sgt. Hasan Akbar, I strongly object to the suggestion that “as disturbing as the attack was, Akbar’s defense is equally troubling” (“Hasan Akbar’s Peculiar Military Career,” Aug. 3). Akbar’s “defense,” it turns out, consists largely of the fact that he got his feelings hurt by name-calling and entertained paranoid delusions about American soldiers intending to “kill and rape Muslims.” Serrano chronicles Akbar’s pathetic life story and then expects his readers to conclude that a culture of intolerance in the military is at least partially to blame for Akbar’s murderous actions.

I am not in the military, but I do not know anyone of any nationality or racial, cultural or religious background who at some point has not been on the receiving end of a bigoted slur. Most people are able to ignore it and move on with their lives. Incomprehensible as it might seem to the politically correct Los Angeles Times, a “raghead” remark does not a justifiable homicide make.

Edward J. Parker

West Hollywood

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This story makes you wonder how the 101st Airborne Division managed to accomplish anything in World War II without an “Equal Opportunity” officer. Akbar’s disloyalty was there for all to see. Does diversity now protect the rights of traitors to serve in our most elite military units?

Stephen Quinn

Huntington Beach